Road to Empress 2 è un dramma interattivo che sfida il giocatore a guidare una giovane monaca astuta verso il trono imperiale, attraversando 24 capitoli e più di cento possibili conclusioni. Per ottenere l’unico vero finale – quello in cui si diventa effettiva Imperatrice – è necessario scegliere con attenzione le opzioni che spostano la trama verso la corona.
Panoramica della storia e delle meccaniche
Il percorso inizia nel Tempio di Ganye e si conclude nel Palazzo Imperiale. Durante la narrazione il giocatore deve gestire discorsi, alleanze e tradimenti, accumulando occasionali potenziamenti statistici legati al completamento di abilità specifiche. Le decisioni cruciali compaiono soprattutto nei punti di svolta dei capitoli chiave.
Fase 1 – Scelte decisive nei capitoli 18‑22
Questa parte comprende le prime grandi sfide all’interno del Palazzo, tra le quali il “Rear Palace” e “The Unnecessary Mother”.
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 18 – The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 | |
| Empress’s Question | I believe Linglong did not act with ill intent. |
| Empress’s “Concern” | I enjoy doing chores. |
| What Do You Want? | Your Majesty should see the empress more. |
| Li Zhi’s Disappointment | This is how I truly feel. |
| Serve the Meal? | (Any option) |
| Capitolo 19 – The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 2 | |
| Reunion with Gaoyang | Greet her first. |
| Questioned Identity | Tear up from the grievance. |
| Polish the Shoes? | (Any option) |
| Handling the Note | Keep it. |
| Consort Xiao’s Olive Branch | Slap her hard. |
| Rising Tension | (Any option) |
| Li Zhi’s Approach | Like what, exactly? |
| Your Response | I’m not going anywhere. |
| Capitolo 20 – The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 3 | |
| Spend Your Stipend | Distribute it among the lowly chamberlains. |
| Take Her Hand | Pass the QTE. |
| Is Consort Xiao the Culprit? | I beg Your Majesty to punish Consort Xiao. |
| What Is Your Wish? | Ask the Empress to let you take revenge on Liu Xi. |
| Force Liu Xi to Confess | Imprison Liu Xi e interrogate her with torture. |
| A Familiar Face | Slap her. |
| Liu Xi’s Wish | “Fulfill” her wish. |
| Liu Xi’s Fate | Kill her. |
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 21 – The Unnecessary Mother 1 | |
| Linglong’s Interrogation | I’ve been lingering outside. |
| Brace Against the Ground | Pass the QTE. |
| Who Pushed You? | Li Sujie. |
| Who is the Culprit? | Blame Li Sujie. |
| How Shall This Be Dealt With? | Soften him up. |
| The Poison Earrings | Keep wearing them. |
| Break the Alliance | Help Li Zhong become the Crown Prince. |
| Capitolo 22 – The Unnecessary Mother 2 | |
| Makeover Moment | Infiltrate in the Night Suit. |
| So Close | Kiss him. |
| Who Will Inherit the Crown? | Keep urging His Majesty to name Li Zhong. |
| Li Zhi Wants You to Stay | Flirt, then walk away. |
| How Will You Use Li Zhong? | Urge Li Zhong to focus more on his mother. |
| Spreading Rumors | Liu will be Empress Dowager when Li Zhong ascends. |
Fase 2 – Da consorte a figura di potere (Capitoli 23‑26)
Le decisioni qui determinano l’accesso al titolo di Zhaoyi e la costruzione di una rete di sostenitori.
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 23 – First Among The Nine Consorts 1 | |
| Accept the Title of Zhaoyi? | Politely decline. |
| The Empress’s Test | Actually, I’m carrying Li Zhi’s child. |
| Sister’s Suffering | Sister, I will help you escape him. |
| A Bedtime Story | (Any option) |
| Powder in the Tea | Investigate the tea first. |
| Protect the Unborn | Secretly take the abortion medicine. |
| Remaining Medicine | Destroy them completely. |
| Beat Youzi to Death? | Speak for him. |
| Beat Linglong to Death? | Keep silent e mourn for her. |
| Capitolo 24 – First Among The Nine Consorts 2 | |
| Recruiting Youzi | Be kinder than the Empress. |
| Do You Trust Me? | I trust you, Your Majesty. |
| Gaoyang’s Apology | You are always my best friend. |
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 25 – Closer To Power 1 | |
| Resignation Petition | Read them all, then choose Ji. |
| Promotions | A high-paying honorary post. |
| Coasting Talent | Do you really think you can survive under powerful ministers? |
| Ji Huaizhong’s Concern | The realm bears the Li name. |
| Throw Them Off Balance | Petition to depose the Empress. |
| Capitolo 26 – Closer To Power 2 | |
| Will You Recruit Him? | Yes. Those who serve me need not be saints. |
| The Unruly Official | I’ll give you one more chance. Choose your words carefully. |
| Control of the Court | Quietly win over officials from humble origins suppressed by the aristocratic clans. |
| Do You Know My Sister? | (Any option) |
| Li Zhi’s Tenderness | My heart is cold, e so are my hands. |
| The Clash of Two Tigers | Stand aside e let the two rivals destroy each other. |
| Seeing Li Tai One Last Time | I’m busy! |
Fase 3 – Il conflitto per la corona (Capitoli 27‑34)
Le tensioni culminano nei capitoli “Battle for the Empress Position” e “The Emperor e the Empress”, dove le scelte determinano l’esito della lotta di potere.
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 27 – Battle for the Empress Position 1 | |
| Minhui Seeks a Ride | Say nothing e allow her to join Li Zhi. |
| Life-Giver or Soul-Taker | Harm me e your whole clan dies by royal decree. |
| Push Push | Pass the QTE. |
| Bandits on the Road | Take the risk e make a run back to the gate. |
| How to Deal With Xu Minhui? | Keep her around. |
| Capitolo 28 – Claiming the Empress’s Throne 2 | |
| Turning the Bandit | (View all three conversations.) |
| Throw the Empress Into a Panic | Leak that the assassin has confessed. |
| The Right Messenger | Consort Xiao of Elegance. |
| Choosing Your Words | Show hostility. |
| A Play for Consort Xiao | With others present, how can we speak so freely? |
| Who is the Mastermind? | The Empress is behind it. |
| Guard Arrangements | Ask Ling Xiao to lead more guards outside, with only a few inside. |
| What Use is an Assassin? | Frame the Empress for an even greater crime. |
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 31 – The Feast of Power 1 | |
| The Decisive Move | Strip away his power. |
| The Promotion | Thank you, Your Majesty. |
| A Long-Awaited Reunion | In the end, it still falls to me to promote you. |
| How to Deal With Your Brothers? | Keep them in place. |
| Dismantling the Clans (1) | Approve |
| Dismantling the Clans (2) | Decline |
| Dismantling the Clans (3) | Decline |
| Dismantling the Clans (4) | Approve |
| Dismantling the Clans (5) | Approve |
| Dismantling the Clans (6) | Approve |
| The Opportunity to Cultivate Power | Follow your judgment. |
| Capitolo 32 – The Feast of Power 2 | |
| Stake Life on a Gambit | I didn’t do this! |
| One Strike, One Kill | Treason. |
| An Ally for Rebellion | Li Zhong, the current Crown Prince. |
| Making Li Zhong Panic | Li Yifu has petitioned to replace the Crown Prince, e His Majesty did not rebuke him. |
| Li Zhong’s Question | Sacrifice Chancellor Zhangsun. It is your only way out. |
| The Chancellor’s Accusation | (Any option) |
| Consort Xiao’s Fate | Kill her. |
| The Chancellor’s Fate | End him. |
| Li Zhong’s Fate | Spare him. |
| Deposed Empress’s Fate | Kill her. |
Fase 4 – Consolidamento del potere e conclusioni (Capitoli 35‑41)
Gli ultimi capitoli affrontano il conflitto tra l’Imperatore e l’Imperatrice, la gestione dei fratelli, le rivelazioni finali e la decisione definitiva sul Trono.
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 33 – The Emperor e the Empress 1 | |
| Whose Side Are You On? | Support the Emperor e speak up for him. |
| Why Wage War on Baijie? | To intimidate the surrounding states. |
| A War at Stalemate | End it swiftly with overwhelming force. |
| Plan for a Swift Victory? | Find an unexpected angle of attack. |
| Capitolo 34 – The Emperor e the Empress 2 | |
| What to Do with Xu Jingye? | Execute him publicly. |
| What to Do with the Slanderer? | Let bygones be bygones. |
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 35 – Between Emperor e Empress 1 | |
| Li Hong’s First Request | This is unwise. |
| Li Hong’s Second Request | I disagree. |
| Li Hong’s Third Request | Refuse. |
| The Clamor to Depose the Empress | Sacrifice your men to quell public fury. |
| A Strategic Retreat | Wu Yuanqing e Wu Yuanshuang. |
| The Fate of Your Brothers | (Any option) |
| Li Yifu’s Choice | Say nothing in defense of Li Yifu. |
| Which Memorial to Present? | Your opponent’s memorials. |
| Capitolo 36 – Between Emperor e Empress 2 | |
| Deal with Shangguan Yi | Condemn him e make his death resound. |
| Act First e Report Later? | Eliminate him behind His Majesty’s back while he recuperates. |
| Li Hong’s Desperate Objection | Do you intend to drag your men down with you?! |
| The Mother-e-Son Rift | Without my ruthlessness, you would have died long ago! |
| How Will You Answer Taiping? | He will. He misses you dearly, e his mother even more. |
| Reversing the Empress’s Downfall | Confront him. |
| Li Zhi’s Hesitation | Remove the crown e request your deposition. |
| The Choice You Know is Right | I refuse to leave. |
| What You Think | (Any option) |
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 37 – Sun e Moon in Harmony 1 | |
| Rumors of an Illegitimate Child | Quash the slander e severely punish |
| Trap in the Eastern Palace | Enter as planned. |
| The Story of the Mother | The day I was crowned Empress, carrying you within me as I walked toward your father. |
| Li Xian’s Emotional Stirring | His Majesty e I intend to entrust the crown to you sooner than planned. |
| Capitolo 38 – Sun e Moon in Harmony 2 | |
| The Final Confession | Never. |
| Li Zhi’s Final Will | (Any option) |
Fase 5 – Il vero finale: Road to Empress (Capitoli 39‑41)
L’ultima sequenza richiede di rimuovere l’imperatore incompetente, gestire gli eredi e consolidare il potere come nuova imperatrice.
| Story Node | Decisione corretta |
| Capitolo 39 – Road to Empress 1 | |
| The Incompetent New Emperor | Depose the Emperor. |
| Deposing the Emperor | The Imperial Guards: use force to depose the emperor. |
| The Vacant Throne | Appoint a new Emperor. |
| The Timid Dan | Grant his request! |
| The Royalist Commander | A member of the Li house. To assert your legitimacy. |
| Capitolo 40 – Road to Empress 2 | |
| Li Zhi’s Gentle Haven | Leave. |
| A Legacy of Infamy? | (Any option) |
| The Fate of a Loyal Minister | (Any option) |
| Capitolo 41 – Road to Empress 3 | |
| Reason for Persistence | Everything I’ve done was for my own ambition. |
| Wan’er’s Questions | (Ask both questions.) |
| Path to the Throne: Grace | Construct halls symbolizing imperial power. |
| Path to the Throne: Auspice | Proclaim the prophecy of Woman Ruler Wu. |
| The Grand Buddha | Yes. |
Seguendo scrupolosamente le scelte indicate in questa guida, il giocatore supera le insidie politiche, elimina i rivali più pericolosi e, infine, si erge come Imperatrice legittima di Road to Empress 2.